Panasonic Lumix DMC-FH20K 14.1 MP Digital Camera with 8x Optical Image Stabilized Zoom and 2.7-Inch LCD (Black)

by Panasonic

Product Details

• Product Dimensions: 2.2 x 3.9 x 1.1 inches ; 5.6 ounces
• Shipping Weight: 7 pounds
• Shipping: Currently, item can be shipped only within the U.S.
• ASIN: B003962DXE
• Item model number: DMC-FH20K
• Average Customer Review: 4.0 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (243 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #946 in Camera & Photo (See Top 100 in Camera & Photo)
• Date first available at Amazon.com: September 14, 2004

Product Description

From the Manufacturer

This Stylish Compact Does It All from Wide-angle to Zooming

28mm Wide-angle Lens
The 28mm wide-angle lens* lets you easily capture large groups of people indoors or expansive architectural structures and scenes with dynamic width and rich perspective, even from short distances.
* Converted to standard 35mm camera equivalent, at the maximum wide position.

Powerful 8x Optical Zoom
The DMC-FH20 sports a powerful 8x optical zoom lens (35mm camera equivalent: 28-224mm). This gives you highly natural expressions from people and animals that you can't get close to. And its slim, compact, pocket-sized body can easily go wherever you do for both everyday snapshots and traveling.

iA (Intelligent Auto) Mode

When you don't know which mode will give you the best shooting results, or when a sudden photo opportunity pops up and you don't have time to make any settings, simply choose iA (Intelligent Auto) Mode by simply pressing the dedicated button and let the camera do it all for you. You just choose iA Mode, aim at your subject, and shoot. 4 detection and correction functions are simultaneously activated to optimize the settings, so you get stunning photos every time.

HD Movie Recording (1,280 x 720 pixels at 30 fps in Motion JPEG Format)

The DMC-FH20) can record motion images in high-definition (1,280 x 720 pixels at 30 fps in Motion JPEG format). The pixel mixed readout method enables bright motion-image recording even in low-light settings. The DMC-FH20 can also record full-size motion images in WVGA (848 x 480 pixels at 30 fps) or standard motion images in VGA (640 x 480 pixels at 30 fps) and QVGA (320 x 240 pixels at 30 fps).

Extended Battery Life

The energy-saving Venus Engine IV image-processing engine and the efficient, rechargeable lithium-ion battery which has been slimmed down to fit into thinner camera bodies work together to extend the shooting time of the DMC-FH20. This lets users take approx. 300 shots on a single battery charge*.
* Based on the CIPA standard.

Product Description

The DMC-FH20 sports a powerful 8x optical zoom lens (35mm camera equivalent: 28-224mm). This gives you highly natural expressions from people and animals that you can't get close to. And its slim, compact, pocket-sized body can easily go wherever you do for both everyday snapshots and traveling.

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

296 of 300 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Exactly what I wanted - and expected, April 15, 2010

By 

Don in ATL "Don in ATL" (Atlanta, Georgia) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Panasonic Lumix DMC-FH20K 14.1 MP Digital Camera with 8x Optical Image Stabilized Zoom and 2.7-Inch LCD (Black) (Electronics)

I purchased this camera specifically for a vacation to Rio de Janeiro. I also have a Nikon DSLR that I adore, but didn't want to risk carrying it around Rio. I wanted something I can easily put in my pocket and pull out to quickly take pics.

I investigated several different point-and-shoot cameras, and they all suffer that is pretty much standard issues with Point and Shoots - not dealing well with low light, blurry when compensating for low light, lag time, etc. These things are pretty much a fact with point and shoots.

After playing with a few different camera's, I opted for the Lumix DMC-FH20. The main reasons where the zoom - 8x optical, and then up to 32X digital with the right settings.

On my trip, this camera did not disappoint. Sure I had to play with the settings a little bit to get the desired effect, but I pretty much only used the Auto, Landscape, Nighttime landscape and Macro settings. All of these worked perfectly.

In low light, I had to stabilize the camera on a bench or fence, but that's expected, and not a downfall of the camera.

Overall, I love this camera and considered it well worth the price I paid (about $180us). I feel it far exceeds any other camera I have played with (around the same price point).

I would buy this same camera again - without question.

311 of 325 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Outstanding!, March 28, 2010

By 

Sherri P. (Pennsylvania) - See all my reviews

Amazon Verified Purchase

This review is from: Panasonic Lumix DMC-FH20K 14.1 MP Digital Camera with 8x Optical Image Stabilized Zoom and 2.7-Inch LCD (Black) (Electronics)

Having used only 35 mm cameras and definately not being a photo-pro by any means, I decided to get a digital camera. I was overwhelmed and confused by the information on so many makes and models and became frustrated by contradicting reviews of same-type features from both Consumer Review Reports by professional photographers, as well as customer reviews.

About to give up, I came across a review from a professional photographer (a dedictated Canon user) who tested the Panasonic and gave it's performance an excellent review from all aspects.

I purchased this and haven't looked back. It's excellent. It feels substantial when you hold it; it's easy to use and priced right. The pictures are extremely clear and sharp regardless light conditions or movement. The video is also excellent. Friends who have other makes and models admitted they were highly impressed.

What more can you ask for in a camera. I highly recommend this camera and couldn't be happier with my purchase.

86 of 89 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Amazing camera!!!, May 3, 2010

By 

Maria Villafane (Miami, FL) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

Amazon Verified Purchase

This review is from: Panasonic Lumix DMC-FH20K 14.1 MP Digital Camera with 8x Optical Image Stabilized Zoom and 2.7-Inch LCD (Black) (Electronics)

I bought this camera because i wanted a small camera that was easy to carry around for a 4 day trip to Disney World. As the owner of a panasonic lumix fz50, I was very excited to see this small and compact camera, since my other lumix is bulky (10MP, 12X), When i saw the price for this camera, a 14mp, 8X I knew i had to have it. I took it to my trip to disney with a full charged battery and the battery sustained up to 14 hours of continuous photo sessions in different places around the park, it never died on us, but we charged it every night to make sure the next day it would last the same. The pictures are great, they do have some noise in dark places but that is to be expected. The image stabilization does an amazing job at getting pics without flash that are taken in the dark, i was surprised with that. We took some really awesome pictures with this camera. It weights close to nothing and it fits right in my pocket, it was the best purchase i ever made for the trip. I do have to say i am not particularly impressed with the video quality, except for the HD. the HD is pretty cool, but you need an sd card with massive storage to get a good recording time because it takes a lot, a lot of space. I bought an 8gb sd card which held about 1200 pictures at 14mpx, but i took my pics at 10 mp since i don't think i will be printing this pics at a large size. Overall i think this camera is amazing, it also has a pretty awesome lcd which is big enough for you to know what you're doing, and there's no viewfinder, which i like to use every now and then, but i can live without. I love this camera!!!!!!!!